Received:
14
March
2007
Accepted:
13
April
2007
Published online:
7
May
2007

Abstract

We search for nonlinear effects in nuclear giant resonances (GRs), in particular the isovector dipole and the isoscalar quadrupole modes. To that end, we employ a spectral analysis of time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TDHF) dynamics using Skyrme forces. Based on TDHF calculations over a wide range of excitation amplitudes, we explore the collectivity and degree of harmonic motion in these modes. Both GR modes turn out to be highly harmonic in heavy nuclei from A = 100 on. There is no trace of a transition to irregular motion and multiple resonances are predicted. Slight anharmonicities are seen for light nuclei, particularly for 16O. These are mainly caused by the spin-orbit splitting.